E3C: The Passionate Entrepreneur

Earvin "Magic" Johnson: "32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business"

Earvin "Magic" Johnson visits Google's Mountain View, CA headquarters to discuss his book "32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business." This event took place on March 10, 2009, as part of the Authors@Google series.

Earvin made the transition from great athlete to greater entrepreneur through hard work and by avidly pursuing opportunities. He recognized that densely populated urban communities were ripe for commercial and residential development. He partnered with major brands like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, and T.G.I. Fridays to lead a major economic push in these communities. The success of his businesses proved that ethnically diverse urban residents would welcome and support major brands if given the opportunity. Earvin continues to be a leader of urban economic development that provides jobs, goods, and a new spirit of community.

32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business will inspire and enlighten readers who wish to make a similar impact with their careers and business endeavors.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson--known worldwide for his talent on the basketball court--has an equally impressive career off the court. As the chairman and chief executive officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, he has helped launch major business initiatives focused on revitalizing ethnically diverse urban communities by bringing brand-name businesses into them. He has been voted number one among organizations and individuals in representing the urban community, and is the celebrity most able to influence minority consumer purchasing.

In Sales, The Link Is The Thing! (Part 1)

How has the Internet effected the global economy? Jeff Jarvis, author of "What Would Google Do" shares how a simple hyper link on a website has changed business forever.

A link now can connect you with an abundance of information via the Internet. With a simple link, you can connect with new people, groups, places, reports, videos, audios, pictures etc. Anything and everything that your heart desires, you can find it on the Internet. All within a few key strokes.

In the past, you relied on companies and sales people to share information about their product or service. Not any more. What was once a world based on scarcity, now offers an abundance of choices. Companies operating on the old media model created content and protected it. Moreover, they restricted access to it. They even demand that you paid for it. No more. People have greater access and more ways to find information that they seek. They have more choices then ever before.

Google has disrupted the "old school” model and expanded new possibilities. For companies that embrace the Internet, their are new opportunities. Unfortunately, for traditional companies who continue to cling to the status quo, the results will mean reduced sales, profitability and certain extinction. Companies that share their information freely, will achieve greatly exposure and the possibility of generating more revenue and sales and profits.

What does it mean for sales? It means that a simple website will not provide you with the exposure that you need. Just because you build it does not mean that people will come to visit and buy from you. You must create content that will make people stop and pay attention and want to comment on and share with their friends and associates. Your content must be unique, different and memorable. It must be easy to share via the Internet.

What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis (at Google Headquarters)

Just A Minute by Benjamin E. Mays

I have only just a minute, only 60 seconds in it,

Forced upon me, can't refuse it.

Didn't seek it, didn't choose it,

But it's up to me to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it,

Give account if I abuse it,

Just a tiny little minute,

But eternity is in it,.

What are you going to do with your minute?

Benjamin E. Mays, Former Morehouse President,

Jeff Jarvis (What Would Google Do?) Explains the Link Economy

How has the Internet effected the global economy? Jeff Jarvis, author of "What Would Google Do" shares how a simple hyper link on a website has changed business forever. A link now can connect you with an abundance of information via the Internet.

With a simple link, you can connect with new people, groups, places, reports, videos, audios, pictures etc. Anything and everything that your heart desires, you can find it on the Internet. All within a few key strokes. In the past, you relied on companies and sales people to share information about their product or service. Not any more. What was once a world based on scarcity, now offers an abundance of choices.

Companies operating on the old media model created content and protected it. Moreover, they restricted access to it. They even demand that you paid for it. No more. People have greater access and more ways to find information that they seek. They have more choices then ever before.

Google has disrupted the "old school” model and expanded new possibilities. For companies that embrace the Internet, their are new opportunities. Unfortunately, for traditional companies who continue to cling to the status quo, the results will mean reduced sales, profitability and certain extinction. Companies that share their information freely, will achieve greatly exposure and the possibility of generating more revenue and sales and profits.

I Believe by John D. Rockefeller ---- How many Americans embrace these principles today?

I Believe by John D. Rockefeller

I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.

I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.

I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.

I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.

I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.

I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man’s word should be as good as his bond; that character — not wealth or power or position — is of supreme worth.

I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.

I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.

I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.

How many Americans embrace these principles today?  Do these principles still apply?   How do you apply them in your own business and life?   What do you think?

What Would Google Do?

Jeff Jarvis has written a new book, "What Would Google Do?"

The idea: Jeff  examines  the success of the fastest growing company in the history of the world, the one company that truly understands how to succeed in the internet age, and then take those lessons and apply them to a number of industries, companies, and institutions, from carmakers to restaurants to universities to government.

Divas Doing Business!

Monique Hayward has a few secrets to share and she has just written a new book --- Divas Doing Business: What the Guidebooks Don't Tell You About Being a Woman Entrepreneur (http://moniquehayward.com/books.aspx).

This book arms current and aspiring women entrepreneurs with the tools and firepower to tackle the unique situations that will test their resolve, strength, and spirit as they start and manage businesses. Listen to what Monique has to say!  Ken talks with Monique Hayward www.moniquehayward.com

Listen Now: Divas Doing Business!

Please use this link to buy Monique's Book:
http://www.amazon.com/Divas-Doing-Business-Guidebooks-Entrepreneur/dp/0615268730/ref

Kenneth Brown (Chief Profitability Officer - Sales & Profit Evangelist) E3C www.BetterSalesandProfitsNow.com www.twitter.com/KenE3C www.my-business-community.com www.mybusinesscommunity.ning.com www.E3C.typepad.com

Listen, Learn, Enjoy and Share with a Business Associate!

Bumper Music by Bryan Hunley of New Whyne Music

How Important Is Sales In Your Business?

How important is sales in your business?

Sounds like a silly question, doesn't it.

However, how much time do you really spend on sales activities?  That is, first appointments, telemarketing, sales training, strategic partnerships and other sales activities that you are asking a decision-maker to do business with you? No, this does not include networking! I am surprised at the amount of time that business owners and entrepreneurs really spend on sales activities.

I recently did a poll that asked that asked “how will you increase sales in 2009?”

Here are the choices:

• increase advertising

• improve my sales skills

• increase my networking efforts

• explore social media

• focus more sales more sales activities

What do you think was the first choice selected?

Surprisingly, most people chose the networking answer. Sixty-two percent chose “increase my networking efforts”. Thirty-seven percent chose “focus on more sales activities” Nobody chose improve my sales skills or explore social media. Now, this poll was not a scientific study, but, I was puzzled with the results.

With over twenty years of sales experience, I know what activities produce sales. It is not networking. Sure, you meet interesting people and learn more about them and their business. It feels good to socially connect with other business owners. You get to add another business card to the stack. However, it does not get you new sales and more business?

Here is some questions to ponder:

• What is your return on investment for your networking efforts?

• How much time are you spending driving and meeting people?

• How many sales have directly resulted from your networking?

• What would be your results if you invested that time to pick up the telephone to call a prospect or ask for a referral from your clients?
  

Let's be honest. Sometimes networking is just “busy work” that replaces what you really should be doing to build your business. Some business owners and entrepreneurs can sometimes do much networking to the detriment of their business.

The majority of my day is focused on sales activities. I am calling prospects (smiling and dialing), connecting with my clients, completing first call appointments and producing solution presentations and closing sales. These activities will directly result in SALES. Everything else is secondary. This means that I do all my administrative, educational and creative activities before and after my work day. In fact, I am writing this blog on Sunday. I don't read and reply to my emails during the my time dedicated to sales tasks. I don't take personal calls during this time. I don't create my sales proposals during my sales time. Yes, it is a sales activity, but it takes me away from making a sales call, connecting with my clients or closing a deal. That's a no-no.

If you want more sales, then you must focus your time on sales-related activities. Duh. Unfortunately, some people realize this too late. That is why 80% of all new businesses fail within the first five years. Your solution to more sales is not a better website, effective marketing strategy, a comprehensive advertising-public relations campaign or a pretty corporate brochure. You need more activity dedicated to sales. If you want to be successful in business, you must engage your clients and prospects. Don't be afraid to ask for the sale. You will not close 100% of sales, but I guarantee you that you will learn more and become a lot wiser. Learn from your mistakes and failures. Look for all sales opportunities and seek to maximize any opportunity. You can not make a sale by networking. Be smart. Focus on sales and not just “busy work”. So, how important is sales in your business now?

What do you think? Please share your thoughts and make a comment.

Kene3c | Twitter Grader

Kene3c | Twitter Grader

Posted using ShareThis